It happened again.

A Veteran was up for a wonderful and high-paying opportunity with a consulting firm. After the initial interview, which went great, the firm began their background check. This included the norm (financial, employment, education, and criminal) and the new-norm, social media. Upon reviewing the Veteran's LinkedIn page, the hope for employment was immediately erased.

LinkedIn.

This was not Twitter or Facebook or Tumblr. This was LinkedIn. The Veteran's page was filled with typos, grammatical errors, misspellings, and embellishment.

These stories are becoming more and more common. Companies are using social media as further attestation to character. Character can either support and cultivate company culture or destroy it. What you may see as insignificant can eliminate your chances of employment in certain instances.

I have some advice, but I also suggest talking to those deeply immersed in social media, as I am not a perpetual user.

1. Do not post pictures that are risque (illegal activities, nudity, compromising, etc).
2. Do not speak ill of current or past employers.
3. Do not blab your personal business. It's personal for a reason!
4. Do not chime in on baseless and "celebritized" issues unless your opinion is eloquent and supported. Please do not misinterpret this as ignoring your freedom of speech. Remember, everything has its limits.
5. Proofread!
6. Remember, everyone has a different sense of humor.

Branding yourself is important - do it professionally and appropriately.